Bills Rally Bucs

In a seesaw battle at Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills pulled out a 44-32 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, bouncing back in style after a Week 10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Josh Allen had a volatile start, tossing two interceptions before halftime. But the league’s reigning MVP balanced it in the first half with a rushing score and two passing touchdowns. After the break, Allen was unstoppable, finishing the game 19-of-30 for 317 yards with three passing touchdowns, the two interceptions and three rushing touchdowns.

With that performance, Allen became the first player in NFL history with multiple games featuring three or more passing and rushing touchdowns. He also tied Cam Newton’s all-time record for most rushing touchdowns in regular-season games by a quarterback (75).

On the other side, Tampa Bay stayed competitive thanks to a breakout showing from Sean Tucker. The third-year running back totaled 140 yards from scrimmage and scored three touchdowns. Baker Mayfield, an MVP candidate himself, threw for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Next up, the Bills (7-3) head to Houston to take on the Texans (5-5). The Buccaneers (6-4), losers of three of their last four, will look to rebound on the road against the red-hot Los Angeles Rams (7-2).

Allen shook off a brutal error on his second snap to produce an effort otherwise good enough to win and potentially wake up Buffalo’s sleepwalking offense. Allen threw a two-handed chest pass from his own end zone to give Tampa Bay a free 3-0 lead. Then the reigning MVP accounted for six touchdowns, three through the air and three on the ground, the first in NFL history to do so twice over a career.

Bills coach Sean McDermott made two big personnel changes at wideout, and offensive coordinator Joe Brady got several unusual contributors involved in the passing game. Healthy scratches included 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman for showing up late to a meeting on Friday, and Elijah Moore. They were replaced by old friend Gabriel Davis and newcomer Mecole Hardman, but the real impact players were fringe receiver Shavers and tailback James Cook. Shavers caught four passes for 90 yards — both team-highs — and scored on a 43-yard strike in the second quarter. Deep-ball TDs have been rare for Buffalo this year. Cook entered Sunday averaging two catches and 18 yards, but he grabbed three passes for 66 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. The aerial explosion happened despite top target Dalton Kincaid being sidelined by a hamstring injury and slot receiver Khalil Shakir finishing with one reception for minus-3 yards, one of nine Bills with at least one catch.

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